I’ve read only the first two books in this series, and that was years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed them and have lamented the fact that I didn’t push on and catch up with the series at that time. Now I’m way behind, of course. I still remember a bit about those first two books, especially Phantom Waltz. This book, Perfect Timing, caught me by surprise.

While the emotion I expect from Catherine Anderson is present in this story, what I never expected is the paranormal aspect. This is a very pleasant surprise. I’m a huge time travel fan, and though this book doesn’t travel to the past and all the fun to be had in that respect, Ms. Anderson does a terrific job of bringing Ceara from a long-ago Ireland to present day, integrating her into the life of Quincy Harrigan and his family, the very reason Ceara chose to leave her own family behind.

Ceara is a druid, full of magical powers, and has landed on Quincy’s ranch, hoping to help break the curse an ancestor placed on the Harrigans centuries before. Things don’t quite go as she hopes, when she’s carted off by local law enforcement for breaking and entering. Her pleas to Quincy that time is running out falls on deaf ears. He just can’t believe her story, which I find kind of interesting, considering his sister-in-law’s psychic ability. You’d think he’d be a tad more open minded. But after some encouraging by his father, Quincy decides to talk to Ceara again, after he bails her out of jail.

Trying to acclimate herself to this new time and place, Ceara goes from amazement to fear in the space of a heartbeat. I enjoyed all the situations the author puts Ceara through to introduce her to her new home. Even in jail, there’s plenty to see anew through someone’s eyes who can’t imagine such a scenario. Part of that innocence is what eventually makes Quincy take another look at Ceara. The longer he’s around her, the more they interact he begins to change his attitude toward her. But marry the woman? No, thanks. Or so he thinks. That’s the only way the curse can be broken and to save his brother’s wife. Quincy finally relents, and it’s the best decision he’s ever made.

Since this is my first book about the Harrigans, I enjoyed getting to know this family. That’s one thing Ms. Anderson does well, the sense of family. Another is emotion, and when she combines the two, tears are sure to accompany my reading. Early on it’s Quincy who pulls the heartstrings when he thinks about losing Loni. Later when Clint, Loni’s husband, talks to his brother about his impending loss, I remember thinking it’s a good thing Ms. Anderson spaces these scenes out so I’m not a blubbering mess throughout the book. Then there’s the fun side to these characters. They tease and joke as close families do. They come together in times of tragedy, and they persevere.

It’s enjoyable to see Loni’s health return, the family rejoicing. Clint is still cautious when Loni is ready for bedroom time with her husband, and that’s only one situation the “hens,” what Quincy’s father calls his daughters when they get together for girl time, have to resolve for each other. Such fun scenes. Life is good for all of them, Quincy and Ceara now awaiting their first child. And that’s when tragedy strikes again and when Ms. Anderson causes more blubbering on my behalf. Those hospital scenes, when, first, the baby is born and then when Ceara is the only one who can save the little girl, are just so very emotional.

If you’ve not read Catherine Anderson, you should. And if you’re like me, having read only a few, we need to remedy that soon. Her books are quite satisfying.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Tragedy has struck the Harrigans—Quincy’s beloved sister-in-law Loni is gravely ill and nearing death. Quincy, like his brothers, feels helpless to save her, and the clock is ticking. Then, with perfect timing, a winsome red-haired woman named Ceara O’Ceallaigh mysteriously appears on Quincy’s property and insists that Loni can be cured. Only Quincy, she says, as the sole remaining Harrigan bachelor, can make it happen—by marrying Ceara.

To Quincy, Ceara is a charming and quite likely deranged spinner of dreams who can’t prove she’s telling the truth. But how can he pass up any attempt to restore Loni to health? Against all better judgment, he decides to marry Ceara. Maybe he’s making the worst mistake of his life. Or maybe he’s opening himself up to possibilities that defy explanation…and will send him on a miraculous journey toward enough love to last forever.